Asylum helplines

Get help by phone if you’re an asylum applicant or refugee and you need advice about the asylum process or adapting to life in the UK.

Who can use the helplines

You can use the helplines if:

  • you’re an asylum seeker and you’ve just arrived in the UK
  • you’ve just received the decision on your asylum application
  • you’ve been successful in your asylum application and are building a new life in the UK

What the helplines are for

The asylum helplines can help with:

  • housing problems
  • questions about financial support
  • dealing with agencies, such as social services
  • finding English language classes
  • questions about asylum support
  • getting legal representation
  • finding schools
  • building a life in the UK if you’re given permission to stay here
  • returning home

They may also be able to help if you’re:

  • threatened or harmed by someone because of your race
  • threatened or harmed by a member of your family
  • the victim of a crime
  • a witness to a crime

Charities run the helplines. They do not make decisions on asylum applications.

Who to contact

Call Migrant Help UK if you’re an adult asylum seeker or the dependant of an adult asylum seeker.

Migrant Help UK
Telephone: 0808 801 0503
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
(24-hour service for emergencies)

Calls to this number are free.

Get help through the Migrant Help UK webchat
Fill in the Migrant Help UK contact form

Contact the Refugee Council if you’re a child in England on your own and applying for asylum.

Refugee Council
Telephone: 0808 175 3499
WhatsApp: 07888 866615 (messaging only)
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm

It’s free to contact these numbers.

If you’re a child in Scotland or Wales, you can contact:

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